Supercell tornadoes over water

[John Peters]

Are there any documented cases of tornadic supercells moving offshore, or forming over water? (looks like there is a storm with some rotation off the coast of SC right now)


Edit: I just realized i accidentally posted this in the wrong forum.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

MODS: Please move this to Weather and Chasing?

Here is a case back in February 2, 2008 in Florida ... Actually between Cuba and FL!

Above: Hook echo well southeast of Key West / FL Keys ... Formed over water and stayed over water!

Link to the site (NWS) on more of an explanation about this event is shown below...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/svr_and_tor.html

Thanks!

 

[John Peters]

Good day all,

Here is a case back in February 2, 2008 in Florida ... Actually between Cuba and FL!

Above: Hook echo well southeast of Key West / FL Keys ... Formed over water and stayed over water!

Link to the site (NWS) on more of an explanation about this event is shown below...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/svr_and_tor.html

Thanks!

Wow, thanks for the information. This is exactly the type of situation i was curious about.

My apologies again for posting this in the wrong forum.

 

[Andrew McDonald]

It happens more often here in Australia than over land (simply due to better moisture conditions existing offshore). It is not uncommon to have a garden variety severe storm move off the coast and then explode as it hits much better DP's. The number of times I've see massive storms off the coast makes me want to buy a boat. Next time it happens, I'll try and remember to post in this thread so you can see.

Macca

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

Out of curiosity, would such a touchdown still be considered a waterspout?

 

[Chad Cowan]

Are there any documented cases of tornadic supercells moving offshore, or forming over water?

Last night there was a classic, right-moving supercell over the Gulf, near Corpus Christi. The storm was too far away from the radar site to get any low-level velocity info, but the reflexivity and mid-level rotation were some of the best I have seen this year.

Somewhat of a tangent, but I wonder if studying tornadic sups as they move offshore would provide us with any insight on the impact of surface friction on tornadic circulation. Although, we probably don't have much of a data set to study and it would be difficult (if not impossible) to isolate the variable because there are many other mesoscale atmospheric factors that differ between terrain and water.

 

[Jim Saueressig]

Chad, I had been watching that line as well more specifically the far South cell just South of Corpus Christi that went tornado warned before it left the coast line. Here is a few radar shots before and after that cell left the shore. Sadly I didn't save any velocity shots as a few did look quite impressive as it was leaving the shore line. I lost fresh radar data on gr2 for about 30 minutes from that site or I would imagine there would have been a few other nice images. (Your welcome to use them in the now/disc thread if needed as I cannot access that area for some reason.)

 

[Kevin Bowman]

Sept 22 2006had a tornado form just off the lakeshore off the far north side of Chicago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhUST6b6qNg